Automated water heater flushing and monitoring system

ABSTRACT

An automatically flushing water heater maintenance system may be provided, the system including a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing, the useful life of the water heater may be extended, and/or water heater leakage alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon using the automatic water heater flushing functionality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/252,265, filed Nov. 6, 2015, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety and forall purposes, herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to maintaining water heaters and, moreparticularly, to systems and methods for automatically flushing a waterheater for maintaining the water heater and for reducing the risk ofleaks.

BACKGROUND

Commercial and residential water heaters receive room temperature (e.g.,cold) water that is then heated by the water heaters and distributed asheated (e.g., hot) water through the commercial or residential location.The water fed to the water heaters typically includes sediment. Some ofthe sediment may remain in the water heater tank after the water isheated and distributed. The sediment that remains may build up on thebottom of the water heater tank. Over time, this buildup of sediment maycause heat transfer within the water heater tank to slow, which in turnmay cause overheating near the bottom of the tank. When the bottom ofthe tank is overheated, the metal bottom of the tank may weaken and thelining of the tank may be damaged. The weakening of the tank bottom andthe damage to the tank lining may eventually cause the bottom of thetank to “fall out.” Of course, if such an event occurs, the water storedwithin the tank and the inlet water entering the tank from the feed linemay escape from the tank and may likely result in the flooding of thestructure housing the water heater (e.g., a house or building).

In less extreme cases, the sediment buildup may cause smaller leaks inthe water heater. These leaks, although smaller, may still causeflooding to a large portion of the structure housing the water heater.In order to reduce the likelihood of sediment buildup in a water heater,many manufacturers recommend that water heaters be flushed periodicallyso that sediment is removed from the water heater tank. Unfortunately,most owners do not follow those recommendations; as such, water heatersare not flushed on a regular basis. Accordingly, a system is needed toautomatically flush water heaters on a regular basis and to monitorwater heaters for leaks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present embodiments may relate to systems and methods formaintaining water heaters and, more specifically, for automaticallyflushing the water heater to prevent the water heater from failing,which may result in flooding and/or other leakage. The water heatermaintenance system described herein maintains a tank of the water heaterusing automated flushing to prevent and/or remove a buildup of sedimentin the bottom of the water heater tank. Such a buildup of sediment maylead to breaks in the tank. These breaks may lead to leaking or, in moreextreme cases, failure of the tank, which may result in the flooding ofthe structure housing the water heater. Routine flushing of the waterheater tank may aid in preventing buildup of sediment by removingsediment from the water heater tank. A duration of flushing may bedetermined by measuring an amount of time from start to finish of theflushing and/or by measuring an amount of water removed from the waterheater tank. An interval between flushings may be determined accordingto manufacturer standards and/or user scheduling requests.

In addition, the water heater maintenance system described herein mayinclude one or more controller devices (“water heater controller”) incommunication with a monitoring computing device and/or a third-partycomputing device (e.g., a computing device associated with an insuranceprovider). The water heater controller may transmit signals to, and/orreceive signals from, such as via wired or wireless communication anddata transmission, the monitoring computing device and/or thethird-party computing device to request permission to initiate flushing,transmit status reports, and/or maintain a flushing history of the waterheater.

In one aspect, an automatic flushing water heater maintenance system formaintaining water heaters may be provided. The system may include awater heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may includean inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve inflow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configuredto control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out ofthe water heater. The water heater controller may be configured tocommunicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first controlsignal to the first control valve, the first control signal beingconfigured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part ofan automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing process, awater heater's life may be extended, and/or home damage resulting waterheater failure may be mitigated or prevented (and correspondinginsurance claims reduced or eliminated).

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for maintaining a waterheater may be provided. The water heater may include an inlet, anoutlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flowcommunication therewith. The first control valve may be configured tocontrol a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of thewater heater. The method may be implemented using a water heatercontroller including a processor in communication with a memory, thewater heater controller being configured to communicate with the firstcontrol valve. The method may include determining, using the processor,that an automatic flushing process is to occur, and initiating theautomatic flushing process. The method may also include transmitting afirst control signal to the first control valve, the first controlsignal configured to cause the first control valve to open as part ofthe automatic flushing process to allow the flow of water and sedimentthrough the flush outlet out of the water heater. The method may furtherinclude determining that the automatic flushing process is complete, andtransmitting a second control signal to the first control valve, thesecond control signal being configured to cause the first control valveto close. As a result, flushing of the water heater may be facilitated,potentially extending it's useful life and alleviating home damagecaused by water heater failure.

In yet another aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereonmay be provided. When executed by a water heater controller, thecomputer-executable instructions may cause the processor to determinethat an automatic flushing process is to occur, and initiate theautomatic flushing process. The computer-executable instructions mayalso cause the processor to transmit a first control signal to a firstcontrol valve in flow communication with a flush outlet of a waterheater, the first control signal being configured to cause the firstcontrol valve to open as part of the automatic flushing process to allowa flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the waterheater. The computer-executable instructions may further cause theprocessor to determine that the automatic flushing process is complete,and transmit a second control signal to the first control valve, thesecond control signal being configured to cause the first control valveto close. As a result of the flushing process, a water heater's usefullife may be extended, and home damage resulting from water heaterfailure may potentially be alleviated.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments which have beenshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thepresent embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments,and their details are capable of modification in various respects.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figuredepicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed systemsand methods, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingFigures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presentlydiscussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodimentsare not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalitiesshown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary automaticflushing water heater maintenance system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary smart waterheater included within the automatic flushing water heater maintenancesystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the exemplary automaticflushing water heater maintenance system shown in FIG. 1 including thesmart water heater shown in FIG. 2 and detection sensors.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary automatic flushingwater heater maintenance computer system that may be accessed by thesmart water heater shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forautomatically flushing a water heater using the automatic flushing waterheater maintenance system shown in FIG. 1.

The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesof the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments may relate to, inter alia, systems and methodsfor maintaining a water heater, and more specifically, for automaticallyflushing a water heater to remove sediment from a water heater tank andmonitoring the water heater for leaks to reduce the likelihood offlooding within a structure housing the water heater. The “water heatermaintenance system” described herein may also be referred to herein asan “automatic flushing water heater maintenance system.” This waterheater maintenance system may be configured to automatically flush asmart water heater routinely by setting a date and time for the waterheater to be automatically flushed and/or by setting an interval of time(e.g., every three months) after which the water heater is automaticallyflushed.

Automatic flush initiation of a smart water heater tank using the waterheater maintenance system described herein may be accomplished using avariety of techniques, including factory programming, user request,and/or water heater maintenance system-suggested flushing. In someembodiments, the smart water heater may have factory settings. One suchfactory setting may include automated routine flushing. For example, thefactory setting may initiate automatic flushing once or twice a year,once a quarter of a year, once a month, and/or when at least onedetection sensor, as described herein, detects a particular threshold ofchange that is deemed unacceptable. In one example, the smart waterheater may be pre-programmed to automatically flush the smart waterheater tank every six months and/or at any other interval deemed by themanufacture of the smart water heater to provide the most efficient andwell-maintained smart water heater.

In some embodiments, the smart water heater maintenance system describedherein may include a setting for the smart water heater wherein a user(e.g., an owner of the structure housing the water heater, a maintainerof the structure housing the water heater, and/or an employee of a thirdparty such as an insurance provider) may request an automated flushingof the smart water heater tank, for example, using a computing device,such as a mobile device (e.g., smart phone). The request from the usermay indicate a desired flushing immediately or at a particular dateand/or time in the future. For example, the user may request anautomated flushing to occur in three weeks. The user may desire to havethe flushing occur in three weeks rather than immediately because hewill be out of town and would prefer for the flushing to occur when heis not home.

In other embodiments, the water heater maintenance system may include asetting wherein a flushing is deemed appropriate based on the reading(s)of at least one detection sensor. The at least one detection sensor maybe attached to the smart water heater tank and/or located proximate tothe smart water heater tank. The at least one detection sensor may beused to detect when sediment buildup has reached a point at whichflushing may aid in preventing breakage of the smart water heater tank.Once the at least one detection sensor has determined a flushing wouldbe appropriate, the at least one detection sensor may transmit a signalrequesting a flushing of the smart water heater system by a water heatercontroller and/or the user. In embodiments in which the water heatermaintenance system is programmed to allow the at least one detectionsensor to request a flushing of the smart water heater tank withoutpermission from the user, the at least one detection sensor may transmita signal including a request for flushing when a change warranting aflushing is detected. In embodiments in which the at least one detectionsensor is programmed to transmit a notification to the user (e.g., to acomputing device associated with the user) stating that the water heatertank may benefit from a flushing, the detection sensor may transmit sucha notification to the user requesting approval of the smart water heatertank flushing. The user may then approve the request or send his ownrequest to flush the smart water heater tank, for example, using acomputing device.

The water heater maintenance system described herein may include (1) asmart water heater, (2) a monitoring computing device, (3) at least onedetection sensor, and/or (4) a third party computing device. The smartwater heater may include (1) a tank having a bottom, a top, and a body(e.g., typically cylindrical in shape), (2) an inlet (e.g., for coldwater), (3) an outlet (e.g., for hot water), (4) a flush outlet, (5) atleast a first control valve (e.g., a solenoid valve) attached to theflush outlet, (6) a heating element, and/or (7) a water heatercontroller for controlling the smart water heater. The water heatercontroller may include a receiver for receiving signals wirelessly orotherwise, and/or a transmitter for transmitting signals.

The at least one detection sensor may include one or more sensorsconfigured to detect a change in moisture, pressure, temperature,corrosion, weight, and/or sound. The detection sensors may be one of thelisted detection sensors and/or a variety of the listed detectionsensors. The at least one detection sensor may be configured to detectissues associated with the smart water heater, including detecting ifthere is a leak, a break in the tank, or flooding within the housingstructure. Upon detection of an issue, the detection sensor(s) maytransmit a signal identifying the issue(s) to the water heatercontroller. The water heater controller may be configured to initiate aflushing of the water heater upon detection of one or more issue(s)therewith (e.g., a leak or overheating). Additionally or alternatively,the water heater controller may be configured to alert a user (e.g., ahomeowner, building owner, or third party employee) of any signalstransmitted by the detection sensor(s) that indicate an issue with thewater heater and/or with the flushing of the water heater. Additionallyor alternatively, the water heater controller may be configured toinitiate a flushing of the water heater according to a request and/or aschedule, as described herein. The monitoring computing device may be amobile computing device, a laptop, a desktop, or another type ofcomputing device. The monitoring computing device may be associated withan owner or maintainer of a structure housing the smart water heater (a“housing structure,” e.g., a building or home). The monitoring computingdevice may be in communication with the water heater controller and/orthe third party device.

The third party computing device may be any computing device associatedwith a third party, such as an insurance provider, a maintenanceservice, and/or another third party. The third party computing devicemay be in communication with the water heater controller and/or themonitoring computing device. The third party computing device mayreceive messages from the water heater controller and/or the monitoringcomputing device regarding the status of the smart water heater,flushing history of the smart water heater, and/or the next scheduledflushing of the smart water heater. The third party computing device mayuse received control signals to update an insurance policy, and/orcalculate an insurance adjustment (e.g., an adjusted insurance premium).The third party computing device may then communicate these insuranceadjustments to the monitoring computing device. A user of the waterheater maintenance system may refer to a user of one of the monitoringcomputing device, the third party device, and/or of the water heatercontroller.

The automatic flushing water heater maintenance system may be configuredto monitor and maintain the smart water heater. The inlet may provideroom temperature water, sometimes referred to as cold water, to thetank. The water may be heated in the tank by the heating element thendistributed throughout the housing structure. The tank of the smartwater heater may store the heated water. Once the water is heated, thewater may leave the tank through the outlet. The outlet water may bereferred to as hot water. The flush outlet, often placed near the bottomof the tank, may be used for maintaining the smart water heater. Moreparticularly, the flush outlet may be configured to remain closed whenthe smart water heater is in use and be opened (e.g., by the firstcontrol valve) when sediment is being flushed from the smart waterheater. The first control valve may be coupled to the flush outlet. Thefirst control valve may be configured to open and close the flush outletbased on commands from the water heater controller, as described furtherherein. The heating element may heat the water inside the tank.

The water heater controller may be configured to monitor the smart waterheater and control various components associated with the smart waterheater, such as the first control valve. For example, when the automaticflushing water heater maintenance system determines that the smart waterheater is to be flushed, the water heater controller may send a controlsignal to the first control valve, which receives the signal and opensto allow for the flushing through the flush outlet. The inlet and/or theoutlet may also have control valves attached thereto. For example, theinlet may have a second control valve attached thereto, and the outletmay have a third control valve attached thereto. The water heatercontroller may also be configured to transmit control signal to thesecond and/or third control valve(s) as part of the flushing process.

At least one of the technical problem addressed by this system mayinclude: (i) an inability to detect water heater failures before damageis inflicted on the water heater tank from sediment build up; (ii) adifficulty in detecting water heater failures from sediment build upwithin the water heater due to inaccessibility to visually inspect theinside of the water heater tank; (iii) a difficulty with regularinspection of the water heater tank due to cost; (iv) a difficulty withregular inspection of the water heater tank due to an owner ormaintainer of the structure housing the water heater forgetting toschedule inspections; and/or (iv) a difficulty in detecting a leak in atimely manner once the leak has occurred.

A technical effect of the systems and processes described herein may beachieved by performing at least one of the following steps: (a)determining that an automatic flushing process is to occur; (b)initiating the automatic flushing process; (c) transmitting a firstcontrol signal to a first control valve, the first control signalconfigured to cause the first control valve to open as part of theautomatic flushing process to allow the flow of water and sedimentthrough a flush outlet out of a water heater; (d) determining that theautomatic flushing process is complete; and (e) transmitting a secondcontrol signal to the first control valve, the second control signalconfigured to cause the first control valve to close. The technicaleffect of the systems and processes described herein may additionally oralternatively be achieved by: (f) monitoring the smart water heater forsediment buildup using at least one detection sensor on or around thesmart water heater tank; (g) sending notifications from the water heatercontroller to the user of the automatic flushing water heatermaintenance system when the detection sensors detect sediment builduphas reached a level where sediment should be flushed from the tank; (h)receiving requests at the water heater controller from the user of theautomatic flushing water heater maintenance system for an automatedflush of the water heater tank; and/or (i) flushing the water heatertank automatically at the request of the detection sensors or the userof the water heater maintenance system.

The technical effect achieved by this system may be at least one of: (i)maintaining the water heater tank allowing the smart water heater towork properly for an extended amount of time; (ii) preventingprogression in breaks, leaks and/or flooding in the water heater tank byearly detection thereof using one or more detection sensors; and (iii)recommending a durable water heater to an owner of a commercial orresidential building.

Some of the technology used by the automatic flushing water heatermaintenance system is described herein. The descriptions are intended toassist in improving the understanding of the following description ofthe water heater maintenance system. The descriptions are not intendedto be fully descriptive or limiting in any manner.

The flush outlet may be in flow communication with the water heater tankand may allow water to flow from the water heater tank to a drain ordrainage area. The flush outlet may be located at the bottom of thewater heater tank, facilitating the removal of the water and sedimentcollected near the bottom of the water heater tank when the flush outletis opened. Maintaining the flush outlet in a closed position may keepthe contents of the water heater tank within the water heater tank.Transitioning the flush outlet into an open position may allow thecontents of the water heater tank to exit the tank.

As described herein, the automatic flushing water heater maintenancesystem may include a first control valve mounted to the flush outlet.For example, the control valve may respond to control signals to openand close the flush outlet. In addition, the system may also includesimilar control valves mounted to the inlet and/or the outlet of thesmart water heater. For example, the inlet may have a second controlvalve in flow communication therewith and/or the outlet may have a thirdcontrol valve in flow communication therewith. The second control valvemay respond to control signals to open and close the inlet, and/or thethird control value may respond to control signals to open and close theoutlet.

These control valves may be solenoid valves including two-port orthree-port valves, or other types of electronically controlled valves.Other types of valves may be used, such as those that may be normallyclosed, and that open when energized, or vice-versa.

A flushing of the water heater tank may occur when the flush outletvalve is opened, allowing the water and sediment to flow from the waterheater tank. Accordingly, the water heater may be located near a drainthe basement to allow the water leaving the water heater tank to flowfrom the water heater tank to the drain and outside of the home. Whenthe water begins to flow from the water heater tank, the sedimentbuildup may also be discharged from the water heater tank, causing thewater to appear a brownish color. The flow of water may continue untilthe water runs clear, indicating that the sediment has been removed fromthe water heater tank, and/or after a predetermined period of time. Theflush outlet may then be placed in the closed position.

Exemplary Water Heater Maintenance System

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary automaticflushing water heater maintenance system 100 including a smart waterheater 102, at least one detection sensor 104, a water heater controller110, a monitoring computing device 106, and a third party computingdevice 108. The water heater controller 110, the monitoring computingdevice 106, and the third party computing device 108 may be incommunication with one another. In one embodiment, the water heatercontroller 110, the monitoring computing device 106, and the third partycomputing device 108 may be in wireless communication. In anotherembodiment, these devices 106, 108, 110 may communicate via a wiredconnection. Each of these devices (the water heater controller 110, themonitoring computing device 106, and/or the third party computing device108) may include a processor and memory. More specifically, themonitoring computing device 106 may include a processor 112 and a memory114, the third party computing device 108 may include a processor 116and a memory 118, and the water heater controller 110 may include aprocessor 120 and a memory 122. Each of the devices 106, 108, 110 mayinclude a transceiver and/or other electronic components, includingthose discussed elsewhere herein.

The smart water heater 102 may be configured to maintain a constantsource of heated water for the structure housing the smart water heater102 (“housing structure,” not shown). At least one detection sensor 104may be placed on and/or around the smart water heater 102 to detectchanges in moisture, pressure, temperature, corrosion, weight, and/orsound. When at least one detection sensor 104 detects a change that mayindicate a problem with the smart water heater 102, such as a leak,increased electrical usage for heating the water, pressure changes inthe tank, temperature changes of the tank, sediment buildup in the tank,and/or other changes that may exceed a predetermined threshold, thedetection sensor 104 may transmit a signal including a messageidentifying the problem to the water heater controller 110. The waterheater controller 110 may automatically initiate flushing of smart waterheater 102 and/or may send a signal including the identified problem andrequesting instructions to the monitoring computing device 106 and/orthe third party computing device 108. The monitoring computing device106 and/or the third party computing device 108 may send a response tothe water heater controller 110 indicating the next course of action(e.g., instructing the water heater controller 110 to initiate flushingof the smart water heater 102, requesting a new reading from thedetection sensor 104, etc.).

In some embodiments at least one detection sensor 104 may take readingson a regular basis (e.g., once a week, once a day, once an hour), or maybe configured to sense a change in one or more of the variables beingmonitored. Data collected by the detection sensor(s) 104 may be sent tothe water heater controller 110, the monitoring computing device 106,and/or the third party computing device 108. The respective one(s) ofprocessors 112, 116, and/or 120 may parse the data received from thedetection sensor 104. The parsed results may be stored in the respectiveone(s) of memories 114, 118, and/or 122. The automatic flushing waterheater maintenance system 100 may monitor one smart water heater 102 ora plurality of smart water heaters 102.

When monitoring one smart water heater 102, data from detectionsensor(s) 104 may be parsed (e.g., by one or more of processors 112,116, and/or 120) to determine a next water heater tank flushing timeand/or date, the remaining life of the smart water heater, and/or if aprogrammed or scheduled flushing is necessary. When monitoring aplurality of water heaters 102, data from detection sensor(s) 104 may beparsed (e.g., by one or more of processors 112, 116, and/or 120) todetermine which water heater(s) 102 of the plurality of smart waterheaters 102 has the greatest longevity without flushing, which waterheater(s) 102 has the greatest longevity with flushing, which waterheater(s) 102 accrues the least amount of sediment, and/or which waterheater(s) 102 makes the most economical sense to purchase (e.g., whenreplacing an older water heater or buying a water heater for the firsttime).

In some embodiments, flushing of the smart water heater 102 may berequested by the monitoring computing device 106 and/or the third partycomputing device 108. For example, the monitoring computing device 106and/or the third party computing device 108 may transmit a flushingsignal to the water heater controller 110 to initiate flushing of thesmart water heater 102. These requested flushings of the smart waterheater 102 may occur once or multiple times. For example, a structureowner may know a first particular date that is appropriate for waterheater 102 to be flushed but does not want to request or schedule anyother future flushing because he does not yet know another appropriatedate to have the smart water heater 102.

As another example, a building owner may receive a discount on aninsurance premium for an insurance policy associated with the housingstructure if he flushes the smart water heater 102 every three months.Rather than attempting to remember every three months to flush the smartwater heater 102, the building owner may set the smart water heater 102to automatically flush every three months (e.g., using the water heatcontroller 110 and/or the monitoring computing device 106).

In some embodiments, the third party computing device 108 and/or themonitoring computing device 106 may monitor a flushing schedule orflushing history associated with the smart water heater 102. Upondetermining that the smart water heater 102 has not been flushed withina predetermined interval or by a predetermined date, the respective oneor the third part computing device 108 and/or the monitoring computingdevice 106 may send a signal to the water heater controller 110 toinitiate flushing of the smart water heater 102. The signal may includea notification or instruction(s) that the water heater 102 should beflushed. In other embodiments, the third party computing device 110 maytransmit the signal to the monitoring computing device 106, and themonitoring computing device 106 may then send control signals to thewater heater controller 110 requesting a flushing of the smart waterheater 102.

If a problem with water heater 102 is detected by one or more of the atleast one detection sensor 104, the water heater controller 110, themonitoring computing device 106, and/or the third party computing device108, the smart water heater 103 may initiate flushing. Additionally oralternatively, if the smart water heater 102 is due for a scheduledflushing, the water heater controller 102 may initiate flushing. Whenthe water heater controller 110 has determined that the flushing iscomplete, the water heater controller 110 may send a message to themonitoring computing device 106 and/or the third party computing device108 indicating that the flushing is complete. The message, in someembodiments, may further indicate whether ant detection sensor(s) 104detect(s) any additional or outstanding problems with the water heater102.

Exemplary Smart Water Heater

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary smart water heater200, which may be similar to the smart water heater 102 shown in FIG. 1.Smart water heater 200 may include a water heater controller 202 (whichmay be similar to the water heater controller 110 shown in FIG. 1), aheating element 204, an inlet (e.g., for cold water) 206, an outlet(e.g., for hot water) 208, a flush outlet 212, a first control valve214, a tank 216, a second control valve 220, and a third control valve222. In the exemplary embodiment, a drain 218 may be located proximateto the smart water heater 200. The water heater controller 202 may beconfigured to monitor and controls components of the smart water heater200, as described herein. The inlet may 206 allow room temperature(cold) water to flow therethrough into the water heater tank 216. Theheating element 204 may be configured to heat the water within the waterheater tank 216 to a designated or predetermined temperature. Theheating element 204 may be a coil, wire, and/or other material that mayconduct heat. In the exemplary embodiment, when the heating element 204is on, it may be conducting heat. The heating element 204 may transferheat to water inside the water heater tank 216, causing the water to beheated.

The outlet 208 may allow heated (hot) water to flow therethrough out ofthe water heater tank 216 and into a housing structure (e.g., buildingor house, not shown). After the water in the water heater tank 216 isheated in the water heater tank 216, the water may flow through theoutlet 208 and to the housing structure when heated water is desired.The flush outlet 212 may allow the water heater tank 216 to be flushed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first control valve 214 may be locatedproximate to, coupled to, and/or in flow communication with the flushoutlet 212, the second control valve 220 may be located proximate to,coupled to, and/or in flow communication the inlet 106, and the thirdcontrol valve 222 may be located proximate to, coupled to, and/or inflow communication the outlet 208. As described further herein, thefirst control valve 214 may be configured to receive one or more signalsfrom the water heater controller 202 including instructions to open orclose the flush outlet 212. The second control valve 220 may beconfigured to receive one or more signals from the water heatercontroller 202 including instructions to open or close the inlet 106.The third control valve 222 may be configured to receive one or moresignals form the water heater controller 202 including instructions toopen or close the outlet 108.

When the first control valve 214 receives instructions to be in a closedposition, the flush outlet 212 may be closed, and water and/or sedimentmay not be flushed from tank 216. When the first control valve 214receives instructions to transition to an open position (e.g., when aflushing process is initiated), the flush outlet 212 may be opened, andwater and/or sediment may be flushed from tank 216. When the secondcontrol valve 220 receives instructions to be in an open position, theinlet 106 may be open, and (cold) water may flow into tank 216. When thesecond control valve 220 receives instructions to transition to a closedposition (e.g., when a flushing process is initiated), the inlet 206 maybe closed, and (cold) water may not flow into tank 216. When the thirdcontrol valve 222 receives instructions to be in an open position, theoutlet 208 may be open, and (hot) water may flow out of tank 216 to thehousing structure. When the third control valve 222 receivesinstructions to be in a closed position (e.g., when a flushing processis initiated), the outlet 208 may be closed, and (hot) water may notflow out of tank 216.

When the flush outlet 212 (e.g., the first control valve 214 thereof) isin the open position, water flows out of the water heater tank 216 andtypically to the drain 218 or drainage area. The drain 218 may catch thewater that flows from the water heater tank 216. The drain 218 may runfrom inside the housing structure to a location outside the housingstructure.

In some embodiments, during a flush of the water heater tank 216, theflush outlet 212 (e.g., the first control valve 214 thereof) may not betransitioned into the open position until the heating element 204 ispowered off and/or the inlet 206 is transitioned into the closedposition. The heating element 204 may be shut off because leaving theheating element 204 on while there is no water to heat in the tank 216may damage the heating element 204. The inlet 206 may be transitionedinto the closed position to prevent water from entering the tank 216that may subsequently leave the tank 216, which may lead to flooding ofthe housing structure. Additionally or alternatively, the flush outlet212 may not be transitioned into the open position until the outlet istransitioned in the closed position.

In these embodiments, the water heater controller 202 may first transmitcontrol signal(s) to the second control valve 220 of the inlet 106including instructions to transition into the closed position, to theheating element 204 including instructions to power off, and/or to thethird control valve 220 of the outlet 108 including instructions totransition into the closed position. The water heater controller 202 mayreceive response signal(s) from one or more of the second control valve220, third control valve 222, and/or heating element 204 indicating thatthe instructions included in the control signal(s) have been completed.The water heater controller 202 may then transmits control signal(s) tothe first control valve 214 to transition the flush outlet 212 into theopen position, allowing water to flow from the water heater tank 216 tothe drain 218. In some embodiments, where there is no drain 218 near thesmart water heater 200, a hose (not shown) may be attached to the flushvalve 212 and emptied into a bucket or outside the housing structure.Alternatively, a bucket may be placed underneath the flush valve 212 andemptied outside the housing structure. Water leaving the water heatertank 216 may appear a brownish color when the flushing process begins,as the water includes sediment that has built up in the water heatertank 216. When the water leaving the water heater tank 216 appearsclear, the sediment build up may have been removed from the water heatertank 216.

In some embodiments, the water heater controller 202 may be configuredto determine that the flushing of the smart water heater 200 is completewhen a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. The predeterminedamount of time may be determined by a manufacturer of the smart waterheater 200 and/or may be determined by the water heater controller 202.The predetermined amount of time may be designated as an amount of timenecessary to drain the sediment from the smart water heater 200 but notso long as to flood an area surrounding the smart water heater 200. Inother embodiment, the water heater controller 202 may receive signal(s)from one or more detection sensor(s) 104 located inside and/or proximateto the smart water heater 200 indicating that sediment has been removedand/or that the tank 216 is approximately empty.

When the water heater controller 202 determines that flushing of thewater heater tank 216 is completed, the water heater controller 202 maytransmit one or more control signals to components of the smart waterheater 200. The water heater controller 202 may transmit a controlsignal to the first control valve 214 of the flush outlet 212 includinginstructions to transition into the closed position. This may preventwater from flowing out of the water heater tank 216. The water heatercontroller 202 may receive a response signal from the first controlvalve 214 indicating that the instructions have been completed. Thewater heater controller 202 may then transmit one or more controlsignals to the second control valve 220 of the inlet 106 includinginstructions to transition into the open position, the third controlvalve 222 of the outlet 108 including instructions to transition intothe closed position, and/or the heating element 104 includinginstructions to power on.

In the exemplary embodiment, as described herein, the water heatercontroller 202 may be configured to transmit control signals tocomponents of the smart water heater 200, including the heating element204 and/or one or more of the first control valve 214, the secondcontrol valve 220, and/or the third control valve 222. For example, thewater heater controller 202 may transmit control signals to heatingelement 204 including instructions to power on or power off. Further,the water heater controller 202 may transmit control signals includinginstructions for one or more of the first control valve 214, the secondcontrol valve 220, and/or the third control valve to open or close.

In the exemplary embodiment, automatic flushing of the smart waterheater 200 may be initiated by the water heater controller 202. Forexample, the water heater controller 202 may transmit one or more of thecontrol signals described herein to one or more components of the smartwater heater 200. The water heater controller 202 may independentlyinitiate flushing of the smart water heater 200 (e.g., without receivinginstructions from any other device). Additionally or alternatively, thewater heater controller 202 may receive control signals from one or moreof the monitoring computing device 106 and/or the third part computingdevice 108 (both shown in FIG. 1) including instructions to initiateflushing of the smart water heater 200.

Flushings may be “pre-programmed” and/or requested “on demand”. Ascheduled, or “pre-programmed,” flushing occurs when the smart waterheater 200 is set to flush a regular basis. The water heater controller202 may be configured to store one or more schedules or sets ofinstructions in the memory 122 (shown in FIG. 1), wherein each storedschedule or set of instructions includes instructions to initiateflushing on a particular date, at a particular time, and/or atparticular interval(s). These schedules(s) and/or set(s) of instructionsmay be stored in the memory 122 in advance of the flushing date(s)and/or time(s). For example, the water heater controller 202 may storeinstructions to initiate a scheduled flushing every three months. Asanother example, the water heater control 202 may store instructions toinitiate a single flushing on a particular date and/or at a particulartime. When a pre-programmed automatic flushing of water heatermaintenance system 100 is initiated, the water heater controller 202transmits one or more control signals to initiated and/or control theflushing process.

A requested, or “on demand,” flushing occurs when a particular requestis made to initiate the flushing process immediately. A flushing may berequested, for example, when a user, a detection sensor 104 (shown inFIG. 1), the water heater controller 202, the monitoring computingdevice 106, and/or the third party computing device 108 determines thatit is appropriate and/or necessary to flush the smart water heater 200.For example, the user, the detection sensor 104, the water heatercontroller 202, the monitoring computing device 106, and/or the thirdparty computing device 108 may determine that the smart water heater 200is in poor condition and/or is damaged and should be flushed immediatelyto prevent further damage. The user, the detection sensor, themonitoring computing device 106, and/or the third party computing devicemay transmit a signal to water heater controller 202 includinginstructions to initiate the flushing immediately. When an on-demandautomatic flushing of water heater maintenance system 100 is initiated,the water heater controller 202 may transmit one or more control signalsto initiate and/or control the flushing process.

When the flushing process is initiated by user 220 request, the user 220may send a message to the water heater controller 202 requesting aflushing of the water heater 200, such as via their mobile device. Thewater heater controller 202 may then take the same steps it would takeif it had initiated to process itself. Once the flushing process iscomplete, the water heater controller 202 may then send a message to themobile device of user 220, such as via wireless communication and datatransmission, informing the user 220 that the flushing of the waterheater 200 had been completed.

Exemplary Water Heater Maintenance System Including Detection Sensors

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary automatic flushingwater heater maintenance system 300, including the smart water heater200 (shown in FIG. 2), at least one detection sensor 302, the inlet 206,the outlet 206, the first control valve 214, the tank 216, the drain218, the second control valve 220, and the third control valve (allshown in FIG. 2). The detection sensor(s) 302 may be configured todetect a variety of changes within the smart water heater 200. Detectingthese changes may include using detection techniques for variables, suchas moisture, temperature, pressure, corrosion, weight, and sound. Thedetection sensor(s) 302 may be configured to detect changes in the smartwater heater 200 by taking readings and comparing readings to each other(e.g., comparing a current reading to one or more previous readings andidentifying a difference in the readings).

The detection sensor(s) 302 may include a single type of detectiontechnique and/or a variety of detection techniques for one or morevariables. For example, one detection sensor 302 may be configured toimplement detection technique(s) to sense changes in a weight of thesmart water heater 200. Sediment may have a different weight than water,and therefore a change in weight of the smart water heater 200 mayindicate sediment buildup which may lead to breakage and/or leaks. Thedetection sensor(s) 302 may be located on and/or near the water heatertank 216 and/or on and/or near the drain 218.

In some embodiments, the detection sensor(s) 302 may be programmed todetect when a reading exceeds a threshold. The threshold may be adiscrete value and/or may be any threshold amount of change in a sensedvariable. For example, the manufacturer of the smart water heater 200may recommend that a temperature of the water heater tank be 120 degreesFahrenheit and that variation within 10 degrees Fahrenheit of 120degrees Fahrenheit is acceptable. The threshold may then be a variationof greater than or equal to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In theseembodiments, when the detection sensor(s) 302 determines the temperatureexceeds the threshold, the detection sensor(s) 302 may transmit one ormore control signals to the water heater controller 202 including arequest for the water heater controller 202 to initiate a flushing. Thewater heater controller 202 may initiate the flushing or may requestapproval from a user associated with the smart water heater 200. If userapproval is required, the water heater controller 202 may wait toinitiate flushing until approval is given from the user (e.g., from themonitoring computing device 106 and/or the third party computing device108, both shown in FIG. 1). Otherwise, the water heater controller 202may initiate the flushing process immediately after the request isreceived from the detection sensor(s) 302.

Once the flushing process is complete, the water heater controller 202may send one or more signals to the detection sensor(s) 302 indicatingthat the flushing is completed. Upon receipt of these signal(s) from thewater heater controller 202, the detection sensor(s) 302 may beconfigured to take readings of the smart water heater 200 to determineif the smart water heater 200 is in satisfactory condition.“Satisfactory condition” may include that the readings are within therecommended threshold. The detection sensor(s) 302 may then sendresponse signal(s) to the water heater controller 202 indicating thestatus of the smart water heater 200 (e.g., satisfactory orunsatisfactory). The water heater controller 202 may then send a messageto the user (e.g., to the monitoring computing device 106 and/or thethird party computing device 108) indicating that the flushing had asatisfactory or unsatisfactory result.

In other embodiments, the detection sensor(s) 302 may be programmed tosend routine updates to the water heater controller 202, the monitoringcomputing device 106, and/or the third party computing device 108. Theseupdates may include data about a current state of the smart water heater200. If one or more of the water heater controller 202, the monitoringcomputing device 106, and/or the third party computing device 108(and/or a user thereof) detects a possible problem, the respectivedetecting party and/or device may request a flushing by sending amessage to water heater controller 202. Additionally or alternatively,if the water heater controller 202 determines that there may be apotential problem with the smart water heater 200, the water heatercontroller 202 may transmit a message to the monitoring computing deviceand/or the third party computing device 108 identifying and/orexplaining the potential problem. The message may further requestpermission to initiate a flushing of the water heater tank 216. If themonitoring computing device 106, and/or the third party computing device108 (and/or a user thereof) transmits a signal including the requestedpermission, the water heater controller 202 may initiate the flushingprocess. Once the flushing process is complete, the detection sensor(s)302 may ensure that a current reading is within the threshold, then senda message to the water heater controller 202, the monitoring computingdevice 106, and/or the third party computing device 108 (and/or a userthereof) that the condition of the smart water heater 200 issatisfactory.

In some embodiments, the water heater controller 202 may initiate theflushing process without permission from the user 304. Once the flushingprocess is complete, the detection sensor(s) 302 may take a reading todetermine if the smart water heater 200 is in satisfactory condition. Amessage may then be sent from the water heater controller 202 themonitoring computing device 106 and/or the third party computing device108 (and/or a user thereof) indicating that the condition of the smartwater heater 200 is satisfactory.

Exemplary Water Heater Maintenance System User Interface

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary automatic flushingwater heater maintenance computer system 400 that may be accessed by thesmart water heater 102 shown in FIG. 1. The water heater maintenancesystem computer system 400 may include a water heater controller 402(which may be similar to the water heater controller 110 shown in FIG.1, and/or the water heater controller 202 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), amonitoring computing device 404 (which may be similar to the monitoringcomputing device 106 shown in FIG. 1), and a third party computingdevice 406 (which may be similar to the third part computing device 108shown in FIG. 1). The water heater controller 402 may be incommunication with smart water heater 102 and/or the water heater tank216 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The water heater controller 402 may bephysically or directly accessed by a user 416 associated with the waterheater controller 402. The water heater controller 402 may also beremotely accessed by those that have wireless access to the water heatercontroller 402 (e.g., over the Internet).

The monitoring computing device 404 may be in communication with thewater heater controller 402, and may include a computing device that isowned or operated by an owner/maintainer of a structure (“housingstructure,” e.g., a building or house) housing the smart water heater200 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The monitoring computing device 404 may beutilized by the user 416 to access and/or communicate with the waterheater controller 402. The third party computing device 406 may be incommunication with the water heater controller 402 and may include acomputing device that is operated by a third party, such as an insuranceprovider. The third party computing device 406 may be utilized by user416 (e.g., an employee of an insurance company) may be in communicationwith the water heater controller 402. The water heater controller 402and/or the monitoring computing device 404 may be configured to transmitsignal(s) to the third party computing device 406 before, during, and/orafter a flushing process. The signal may be configured to activate thethird party computing device 40 and cause the third party computingdevice 406 to automatically update and/or generate one or more insuranceforms that are pre-populated with information associated with the smartwater heater 200, the housing structure, and/or an insurance policyassociated with the housing structure.

Each of the water heater controller 402, the monitoring computing device404, and the third party computing device 406 may receive data from oneor more detection sensor(s) 302 (shown in FIG. 3). In some embodiments,the water heater controller 402, the monitoring computing device 404,and/or the third party computing device 406 may parse the data receivedfrom the detection sensor 302 to determine if there is any indication offailure in the smart water heater 200. The user 416 of one of thesedevices (the water heater controller 402, the monitoring computingdevice 404, and/or the third party computing device 406) may review theparsed data to detect a problem with the smart water heater 200.

User interaction with one of the water heater controller 402, themonitoring computing device 404, and/or the third party computing device406 may be facilitated through a media output 410, an input device 412,and/or a communication interface 414. The media output 410 may beconfigured to present information to user 416. Media output 410 may beany component capable of conveying information to user 416. In someembodiments, media output 410 may include an output adapter, such as avideo adapter and/or audio adapter. An output adapter may be operativelycoupled to an output device, such as a display device, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or“electronic ink” display, or an audio output device, a speaker orheadphones.

In some embodiments, the water heater controller 402, the monitoringcomputing device 404, and/or the third party computing device 406 mayinclude the input device 412. Input device 412 may include, for example,a keyboard, a point device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel,a touch pad, a touch screen, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a positiondetector, and/or an audio input device. A single component, such as atouch screen, may function as both an output device of media output 410and input device 412.

The water heater controller 402, the monitoring computing device 404,and/or the third party computing device 406 may also include thecommunication interface 414, which may be communicatively coupled to aremote device such as ant other of the water heater controller 402, themonitoring computing device 404, and/or the third party computing device406. Communication interface 414 may include, for example, a wired orwireless network adapter or a wireless data transceiver for use with amobile phone network, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM),3GG, or other mobile data network or Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WIMAX).

Exemplary Method of Flushing a Water Heater

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for automaticallyflushing a water heater. In the exemplary embodiment, the method 500 maybe implemented using a water heater controller (e.g., water heatercontroller 110, shown in FIG. 1, water heater controller 202, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, and/or water heater controller 402, shown in FIG. 4). Inone embodiment, the water heater (e.g., water heater 102, shown in FIG.1, and/or water heater 200, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) may include an inlet(e.g., inlet 206, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), an outlet (e.g., outlet 208,shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), and a flush outlet (e.g., flush outlet 212,shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The flush outlet may have a first control valve(e.g., first control valve 214, also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) in flowcommunication therewith. The first control valve may be configured tocontrol a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of thewater heater.

The method 500 may include determining 502 that an automatic flushingprocess is to occur and initiating 504 the automatic flushing process.The method 500 may also include transmitting 506 a first control signalto the first control valve, the first control signal configured to causethe first control valve to open as part of the automatic flushingprocess to allow the flow of water and sediment through the flush outletout of the water heater. The method 500 may further include determining508 that the automatic flushing process is complete, and transmitting510 a second control signal to the first control valve, the secondcontrol signal configured to cause the first control valve to close.

It should also be appreciated that upon initiation of a computer-basedmethod, various instructions may be executed during initialization. Someoperations may be required in order to perform one or more processesdescribed herein, while other operations may be more general and/orspecific to a particular programming language (e.g., C, C#, C++, Java,or other suitable programming languages, etc.).

Memory may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM),such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM),erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM).The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting asto the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.

In some embodiments, method 500 may include additional and/oralternative steps. For example, method 500 may include one or more of:(1) collecting, generating, or receiving, sensor data from one or moresensors disbursed about a smart water heater, the one or more sensorsbeing embedded in water heater or surrounding area (such as in selectedportions of ground or the area around the water drain); (2) determiningor detecting, via the one or more processors, that an abnormal orunexpected condition exists from analysis of the sensor data, theabnormal or unexpected condition indicative that damage to the waterheater is occurring or has occurred; (3) generating, via the one or moreprocessors, a message detailing or associated with the abnormal orunexpected condition; and/or (4) transmitting using wirelesscommunication or data transmission, the message to a mobile device of ahome owner (or otherwise causing, via the one or more processors, themessage to be displayed on the mobile device of the home owner) tofacilitate informing the home owner (i) of the abnormal or unexpectedcondition within the water heater exists, (ii) that damage may haveoccurred to the water heater, and/or (iii) that flushing may be neededto mitigate further damage to the water heater. The method 500 mayinclude additional, less, or alternate actions, including thosediscussed elsewhere herein.

For instance, the one or more sensors may be configured to measure orsense pressure, temperature, weight, corrosion, and/or sound. Themessage may include recommendations to the building or home owner, suchas a recommended time to flush the water heater.

The method may further include (i) sending or transmitting, the sensordata to an insurance provider remote server with the home owner'spermission or affirmative consent; (ii) receiving, (a) insurance-relatedrecommendations, (b) insurance policy, premium, discount, or rateupdates or changes, and/or (c) prepared or proposed insurance claimsassociated with the damage to the building and/or water heater from theinsurance provider remote server (such as via wireless communication ordata transmission); and/or (iii) causing, via the one or moreprocessors, the (a) insurance-related recommendations, (b) insurancepolicy, premium, discount, or rate updates or changes (such as updatesto home owners or renters insurance, coverages, limits, deductibles,etc.), and/or (c) prepared or proposed insurance claims associated withthe damage to the building to be displayed on a mobile device of thebuilding or home owner for their review, approval, and/or modification(such as by transmitting the recommendations or insurance policyinformation to the mobile device of the building or home owner).

The one or more detection sensors may wirelessly communicate directly orindirectly with (i) a water heater controller; (ii) a mobile device of abuilding or home owner (e.g., a monitoring computing device); and/or(iv) a computing device of a third party (e.g., a third party computingdevice).

Determining or detecting, an abnormal or unexpected condition existsfrom analysis of the sensor data may include (1) comparing the sensordata with data associated with expected or normal conditions and/or abaseline of historical or normal data; and/or (2) determining orestimating a severity of the abnormal condition and/or damage to thewater heater and/or structure housing the water heater, such as by (i)detecting an amount of pressure, temperature, weight, corrosion, and/orsound; (ii) determining or estimating a length of time that the abnormalcondition has existed; and/or (iii) determining or estimating a size ofthe abnormal condition and/or an area that may be impacted by theabnormal condition and/or that has incurred damage.

The method may also include adjusting, updating, or generating, via oneor more processors, insurance policies based upon functionalityassociated with the sensor embedded in construction material and locatedthroughout an insured home that prevents, alleviates, and/or mitigatesdamage to the insured home. For instance, discounts or lower premiums onhome insurance to insureds that have the embedded sensor functionalitythat mitigates home damage may be provided and/or calculated by one ormore processors.

In one embodiment, a home owner may opt-in to an insurance discount orother program, and in return for sharing data associated with, ororiginating from, their smart water heater and/or interconnected smarthome controller, the home owner may receive insurance discounts forhaving smart home functionality that may be mitigate and/or preventdamage to their home and personal belongings thereof. An insuranceprovider remote server may receive and analyze the smart water heater(or other smart home) data, with the customer's permission oraffirmative consent, to determine insurance discounts based upon thesmart water heater functionality discussed herein, and/or usage-baseddiscounts based upon an amount of use of the smart water heaterfunctionality within an insured home.

Exemplary Insurance-Related Functionality

As noted herein, the present embodiments may relate to collecting,generating, or receiving data associated with an insurance-related event(such as damage to a property due to breaks, leaks, and/or flooding of awater heater tank). Data related to a current state of the water heatertank may be collected by detection sensors. For example, the at leastone detection sensor may collect data (or reading) of the moisture,temperature, weight, pressure and sound associated with the water heatertank. The data may be sent to the insurance provider and stored locallyon a memory device associated with the insurance provider.

In particular, the detection sensors may collect data at times when thewater heater tank is in satisfactory condition, when the water heatertank has a break, leak or floods, and when the water heater tank isaccumulating sediment buildup. Data collected may give a fullerunderstanding of how the smart water heater being monitored holds upover time and the helpful effects of flushing the water heater tank.Such data may be used by the insurance provider to (i) determine,catalog, characterize, or observe the quality of the smart water heater,specifically the water heater tank, (ii) prepare or populate a claimform associate with damage to the smart water heater, the water heatertank, or the structure (i.e., building or home) housing the waterheater, (iii) prepare a premium for an insurance provider customer,and/or (iv) compare quality of different brands, makes, models and yearsof smart water heaters.

In one aspect, the insurance provider may program internal device todetermine the water heater that stays in satisfactory condition for thegreatest length of time or the water heater that is most likely to breakeven when flushed on a regular basis. These determinations may assistthe insurance provider in determine the premium to assign to each waterheater.

The insurance-related message may include an update to a home owners orrenters insurance policy, such as a change in premium, discount, or ratebased upon the sensor data received for an insurance customer's reviewor approval. The insurance-related message may include a proposedinsurance claim for an insurance customer's review, modification, orapproval based upon the sensor data received and/or an estimated amountor extent of home damage based upon computer analysis of the sensordata.

Additionally or alternatively, the method may include adjusting,updating, and/or generating, via one or more processors, insurancepolicies based upon functionality associated with the sensors embeddedin construction material and located throughout an insured home thatprevents, alleviates, and/or mitigates damage to the insured home. Forinstance, discounts or lower premiums on home insurance for insuredsthat have the embedded sensor functionality that mitigates home damage,or alleviates the frequency or severity of insurance-related events orhome damage, may be calculated by one or more processors and provided toinsureds.

Exemplary Smart Flush Functionality

A Smart Flush System for Water Heaters (i.e., an automatic flushingwater heater maintenance system) may be provided that includes aprogrammable, connected, automated flushing device that helps extend thelife of a water heater. The Smart Flush System may provide the followingfeatures: prevention, detection, mitigation and conservation.

With respect to prevention, the Smart Flush System may hook up to awater heater and clear out the sediment build up at the specificpre-programmed date and time. The excess water is then directed into thefloor drain. The Smart Flush device may also connect to a smartphone ormobile device, which sends home owners notifications and reminders onwhen to flush their water heater, advises you the task has beencompleted, reminds you to check other systems in your home, such as thefunctionality of your sump pump or to change your furnace filter, orprovides other home maintenance tips.

In order to create a device that will allow for programmable flushing, asmart or electronically controllable valve may be able to open and closethe spigot on the water heater. A solenoid valve (i.e., a control valve)may include an electro-magnetic device consisting of wire wrapped arounda core that produces a magnetic field when activated. The valve may openand/or close when activated by a system controller. The system may beable to connect to the spigot, direct the water into the floor drain,sump pit, or bucket at the specific date and time programmed. The systemmay reduce the amount of water claims caused by water heaters, andreduces the risk of water damage because the inevitable sediment buildup inside the water heater may lead to premature and/or the eventualfailure of the water heater. The process of flushing sediment build upmay extend the life of your water heater, and therefore reduce the riskof failure and water damage to a home.

Regarding detection, the Smart Flush System may include a sensor (i.e.,a detection sensor) that provides detection for the following potentialissues: sediment build up, corrosion, an unusual increase in pressure ortemperature and leaks. If any of these potential risks are detected bythe Smart Flush sensor, a notification may be immediately sent to smartphone or other mobile device or wireless device.

Sensors may be installed inside the water heater (a spectrometer may beused in one embodiment—as long as it is encased in glass within theunit, it may detect corrosion and sediment build-up through the water).Additionally or alternatively, sensors may be installed outside the unit(for leak detection, pressure, temperature, etc.)

For mitigation, the Smart Flush System's detection sensor may provide anautomatic shut-off for potential risks that could cause water damage tothe home. For example, if a leak were to occur, the sensor may triggerthe automatic shut-off for the inlet valve going into the water heater.This sensor may also be installed on other appliances such as thewashing machine, dishwasher, ice maker line, etc. A solenoid device orvalve may be used for the opening and closing of the water supply linevalve when an issue is detected.

For conservation, the Smart Flush System may include an automaticshut-off timer in order to conserve water. The timer may provide acustomer with the ability to save money (by shortening the length oftime for a shower), help the environment (especially during droughts),and extend the life of the water heater by reducing use. The solenoiddevice or valve may be set on a timer to automatically shut the valve onthe water heater to prevent further usage of water once that time hasbeen reached. The timer functionality may be programmed on a smartphone,tablet, or other mobile device for easy access. The mobile device mayalso include the capability of controlling the flow of water rather thanjust the temperature.

Exemplary Computer-Implemented Methods

In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of flushing a water heatermay be provided. The method may include (1) detecting, via one or moreprocessors or sensors, that an abnormal condition exists within a waterheater; (2) remotely opening, via the one or more processors orassociated transceivers, an electronically operated outlet valve orspigot on the water heater to allow flushing of the water heater for apredetermined amount of time or until the abnormal condition clearsaccording to the one or more sensors; (3) detecting, via the one or moreprocessors or sensors, that the abnormal condition has cleared; and/or(4) remotely closing, via the one or more processors or associatedtransceivers, the electronically operated outlet valve or spigot tofinish flushing the water heater to facilitate extending the useful lifeof the water heater. The abnormal condition may be associated withpressure buildup, sediment buildup, or abnormal temperature within thewater heater and may be detected by a sensor on or within the waterheater. The method may include transmitting, via one or more processorsor associated transceivers (and via wireless communication or datatransmission), a wireless communication message to a mobile deviceassociated with a home owner indicating the abnormal condition exists;and/or receiving, via the one or more processors or associatedtransceivers, an instruction from the mobile device, via wirelesscommunication or data transmission, to remotely flush the water heater,such as by remotely opening and then closing the electronically operatedoutlet valve or spigot.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of flushing a waterheater may be provided. The method may include (1) determining, via oneor more processors, that a predetermined amount of time has passed (orit is time for periodic maintenance) or an abnormal condition existswithin a water heater; (2) generating, via the one or more processors,an electronic message recommending to flush a water heater; (3)transmitting, via the one or more processors or associated transceivers,the electronic message to a mobile device of a user (via wirelesscommunication or data transmission); (4) receiving, via the one or moreprocessors or associated transceivers, an electronic instruction fromthe mobile device of the user to flush the water heater (via wirelesscommunication or data transmission); (5) remotely opening, via the oneor more processors or associated transceivers, an electronicallycontrollable outlet valve or spigot of the water heater to allowflushing of the water heater; and/or (6) remotely shutting, via the oneor more processors or associated transceivers, the electronicallycontrollable outlet valve or spigot of the water heater after apredetermined amount of time, or after the abnormal condition hascleared, to complete flushing of the water heater and facilitateextending the useful life of the water heater. The abnormal conditionmay be associated with pressure buildup, sediment buildup, or abnormaltemperature within the water heater, and may be detected by a sensor onor within the water heater.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of mitigating damagecaused by water heater leakage may be provided. The method may include(1) detecting or determining, via one or more processors or sensors, anabnormal flow of water into or out of a water heater (such as bymeasuring the flow of water and comparing to a baseline of normal flowstored in a memory); (2) generating, via the one or more processors, awireless communication instructing an inlet valve or electronicallycontrollable valve to close, or energizing a solenoid that closes theinlet valve; and/or (3) transmitting, via the one or more processors orassociated transceiver, the wireless communication to the inlet valve orelectronically controllable valve such that the valve closes, shuttingoff the source of water to the water heater and mitigating damage causedby leakage from the water heater.

The foregoing methods may include additional, less, or alternatefunctionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein. The foregoingmethods may be implemented via one or more remote or local processors,transceivers, and/or sensors, and/or via computer-executableinstructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable media or medium.

Exemplary Computer Systems

In one aspect, a computer system for flushing a water heater may beprovided. The computer system may include one or more processors,transceivers, and/or sensors configured to: (1) detect that an abnormalcondition exists within a water heater; (2) remotely open anelectronically operated outlet valve or spigot on the water heater toallow flushing of the water heater for a predetermined amount of time oruntil the abnormal condition clears according to the one or moresensors; (3) detect that the abnormal condition has cleared; and/or (4)remotely close the electronically operated outlet valve or spigot tofinish flushing the water heater to facilitate extending the useful lifeof the water heater. The abnormal condition may be associated withpressure buildup, sediment buildup, or abnormal temperature within thewater heater, and may be detected by a sensor on or within the waterheater. The system may further be configured to transmit, via wirelesscommunication or data transmission, a wireless communication message toa mobile device associated with a home owner indicating the abnormalcondition exists; and/or receive an instruction from the mobile device,via wireless communication or data transmission, to remotely flush thewater heater, such as by remotely opening and then closing theelectronically operated outlet valve or spigot.

In another aspect, a computer system for flushing a water heater may beprovided. The computer system may include one or more processors,transceivers, and/or sensors configured to: (1) determine that apredetermined amount of time has passed (or it is time for periodicmaintenance), or sense that an abnormal condition exists within a waterheater; (2) generate an electronic message recommending to flush a waterheater; (3) transmit the electronic message to a mobile device of a uservia wireless communication or data transmission; (4) receive anelectronic instruction from the mobile device of the user to flush thewater heater via wireless communication or data transmission; (5)remotely open an electronically controllable outlet valve or spigot ofthe water heater to allow flushing of the water heater; and/or (6)remotely shut the electronically controllable outlet valve or spigot ofthe water heater after a predetermined amount of time to completeflushing of the water heater and facilitate extending the useful life ofthe water heater. The abnormal condition may be associated with pressurebuildup, sediment buildup, or abnormal temperature within the waterheater, and may be detected by a sensor on or within the water heater.

In another aspect, a computer system for mitigating damage caused bywater heater leakage may be provided. The computer system may includeone or more processors, transceivers, and/or sensors configured to: (1)detect or determine an abnormal flow of water into or out of a waterheater (such as by measuring the flow of water and comparing to abaseline of normal flow stored in a memory); (2) generate a wirelesscommunication or control signal instructing an inlet valve orelectronically controllable valve to close, or energizing a solenoidthat closes the inlet valve; and/or (3) transmit the control signal, viawireless communication or data transmission, the wireless communicationor control signal to the inlet valve or electronically controllablevalve such that the valve closes, shutting off the source of water tothe water heater and mitigating damage caused by leakage from the waterheater.

The foregoing computer systems may include additional, less, oralternate functionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

Additional Considerations

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

As used herein, a processor may include any programmable systemincluding systems using micro-controllers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein. The above examples are example only, and arethus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning ofthe term “processor.”

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by aprocessor, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexample only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usablefor storage of a computer program.

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer readable medium. In an example embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further embodiment, the system isbeing run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registered trademarkof Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet another embodiment,the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX® serverenvironment (UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open Company Limitedlocated in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom). The application isflexible and designed to run in various different environments withoutcompromising any major functionality. In some embodiments, the systemincludes multiple components distributed among a plurality of computingdevices. One or more components may be in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium.The systems and processes are not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed herein. In addition, components of each system and eachprocess can be practiced independent and separate from other componentsand processes described herein. Each component and process can also beused in combination with other assembly packages and processes.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededby the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

The patent claims at the end of this document are not intended to beconstrued under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being expressly recited in the claim(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal languages of the claims.

We claim:
 1. An automatically flushing water heater maintenance systemcomprising: a water heater comprising; a tank for holding water; atleast one detection sensor configured to detect an abnormal condition ofthe tank; an inlet coupled in flow communication between the tank and awater source; at least one flow control valve operably coupled to theinlet; an outlet; a flush outlet; and a flush control valve operablycoupled to the flush outlet; and a water heater controller incommunication with the at least one flow valve, the flush control valve,and the at least one detection sensor, the water heater controllerconfigured to implement an automatic flushing process by: transmitting aflow control signal to the at least one flow control valve, the flowcontrol signal configured to close the at least one flow control valve,wherein closure of the at least one flow control valve prevents waterflow from the water source into the tank and captures any existing waterwithin the tank; transmitting a flush control signal to the flushcontrol valve, the flush control signal configured to cause the flushcontrol valve to open to flush the water heater using the existing waterstored within the tank; and transmitting, based on receiving a signalfrom the at least one detection sensor indicating that the abnormalcondition has cleared, a closure control signal to the flush controlvalve, the closure control signal configured to cause the flush controlvalve to close.
 2. The water heater maintenance system of claim 1,wherein the outlet is in flow communication with an outlet controlvalve, the outlet control valve configured to control a flow of waterthrough the outlet and out of the tank.
 3. The water heater maintenancesystem of claim 2, wherein the water heater controller is configured tocommunicate with the outlet control valve by transmitting an outletcontrol signal to the outlet control valve, the outlet control signalconfigured to cause the outlet control valve to open or close as part ofthe automatic flushing process.
 4. The water heater maintenance systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one detection sensor is positioned at alocation inside of the tank, the at least one detection sensorconfigured to monitor at least one variable associated with the waterheater and to transmit a signal to the water heater controller, whereinthe signal includes an indication of a condition of the water heater. 5.The water heater maintenance system of claim 1, wherein the at least onedetection sensor is positioned at a location proximate to the tank, theat least one detection sensor configured to monitor at least onevariable associated with the water heater and to transmit a signal tothe water heater controller, wherein the signal includes an indicationof a condition of the water heater.
 6. The water heater maintenancesystem of claim 5, wherein the water heater controller is furtherconfigured to receive a monitoring signal from the at least onedetection sensor, the monitoring signal including a reading of the atleast one monitored variable.
 7. The water heater maintenance system ofclaim 6, wherein the water heater controller is further configured toinitiate the automatic flushing process when the reading of the at leastone monitored variable is outside of a predetermined threshold.
 8. Thewater heater maintenance system of claim 7, wherein the water heatercontroller is further configured to automatically initiate the automaticflushing process.
 9. The water heater maintenance system of claim 7,wherein the water heater controller is further configured to: transmit arequest signal to at least one of a monitoring computing device and athird party computing device in communication with the water heatercontroller, the request signal including a request for permission toinitiate the automatic flushing process; and receive a response signalfrom the at least one of the monitoring computing device and the thirdparty computing device, the response signal configured to cause thewater heater controller to initiate the automatic flushing process. 10.The water heater maintenance system of claim 1, further comprising amonitoring computing device associated with a user of the water heaterand in communication with the water heater controller, wherein the waterheater controller is configured to receive a control signal from themonitoring computing device, the control signal configured to cause thewater heater controller to initiate the automatic flushing process. 11.The water heater maintenance system of claim 1, further comprising athird party computing device associated with an insurance provider andin communication with the water heater controller, wherein the waterheater controller is configured to receive a third party control signalfrom the third party computing device, the second third party controlsignal configured to cause the water heater controller to initiate theautomatic flushing process.
 12. The water heater maintenance system ofclaim 11, wherein the water heater controller is further configured totransmit a response signal to the third party computing device, theresponse signal including an indication of a condition of the waterheater after the automatic flushing process.
 13. The water heatermaintenance system of claim 11, wherein the water heater controller isconfigured to transmit an activation signal to the third party computingdevice, the activation signal configured to cause activation of thethird party computing device and generation of at least one insuranceform pre-populated with information associated with the water heater.14. The water heater maintenance system of claim 1, wherein the waterheater controller includes a processor in communication with a memory,the water heater controller configured to store a flushing schedule inthe memory.
 15. The water heater maintenance system of claim 14, whereinthe flushing schedule includes instructions to initiate the automaticflushing process at predetermined intervals of time.
 16. The waterheater maintenance system of claim 14, wherein the flushing scheduleincludes instructions to initiate the automatic flushing process at apredetermined date and time.
 17. A computer-implemented method formaintaining a water heater comprising: providing the water heaterincluding a tank for holding water, a sensor configured to detect anabnormal condition of the tank, an inlet coupled in flow communicationbetween the tank and a water source, at least one flow control valveoperably coupled to the inlet, an outlet, a flush outlet, and a flushcontrol valve operably coupled to the flush outlet; providing a waterheater controller including a processor in communication with a memory,the at least one flow valve, the flush control valve, and the sensor,the water heater controller configured to implement an automaticflushing process by: transmitting a flow control signal to the at leastone flow control valve, the flow control signal configured to close theat least one flow control valve, wherein closure of the at least oneflow control valve prevents water flow from the water source into thetank and captures any existing water within the tank; transmitting aflush control signal to the flush control valve, the flush controlsignal configured to cause the flush control valve to open to flush thewater heater using the existing water stored within the tank; andtransmitting, based on receiving a signal from the sensor indicatingthat the abnormal condition has cleared, a closure control signal to theflush control valve, the closure control signal configured to cause theflush control valve to close.
 18. The method of claim 17 furthercomprising: determining that the automatic flushing process of the waterheater is to occur; initiating the automatic flushing process to allowthe flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet and out of thetank; and determining that the automatic flushing process is completebased on receiving a signal from the sensor that the abnormal conditionhas cleared; wherein the water heater controller is further configuredto implement the automatic flushing process by transmitting, afterdetermining that the automatic flushing process is complete, a releasecontrol signal to the at least one flow control valve, the releasecontrol signal configured to cause the at least one flow control valveto open to allow the flow of water through the inlet and into the tank.19. A computer-implemented method for maintaining a water heatercomprising: providing the water heater including a tank for holdingwater, an inlet coupled in flow communication between the tank and awater source, at least one flow control valve operably coupled to theinlet, an outlet, a flush outlet, a flush control valve operably coupledto the flush outlet; providing a water heater controller including aprocessor in communication with a memory, configured to implement anautomatic flushing process by: transmitting a flow control signal to theat least one flow control valve, the flow control signal configured toclose the at least one flow control valve, wherein closure of the atleast one flow control valve prevents water flow into the tank from thewater source and captures any existing water within the tank; receivinga first response signal indicating the at least one flow control valveis closed; transmitting, in response to receiving the first responsesignal, a flush control signal to the flush control valve, the flushcontrol signal configured to cause the flush control valve to open toflush the water heater using the existing water stored within the tank;transmitting, immediately after determining that the automatic flushingprocess is complete, a closure control signal to the flush controlvalve, the closure control signal configured to cause the flush controlvalve to close; receiving a second response signal indicating the flushcontrol valve is closed; and transmitting, after receiving the secondresponse signal, a release control signal to the at least one flowcontrol valve, the release control signal configured to cause the atleast one flow control valve to open to allow the flow of water from thewater source into the tank.